Ear candy: What you should have listened to in 2017, according to the staff at Boo Boo Records

Camillia LanhamDec 28, 2017 4:00 AM

I've been feeling like my repertoire of music needs a definitive update. And after the staff members at Boo Boo Records provided New Times with their Top 10 releases of 2017, I felt like I just needed to throw everything away and start over. But thankfully, Jan. 1 is almost here, and now I have some lists to help kick start my search for new tunes ... in 2018.

File Photo Courtesy Of Jade Jackson

LOCAL HERO Jade Jackson's May release, Gilded, made Ryan East's picks for top 10 albums of the year.

Look, I get it.

I'm way behind.

Guess what though? You probably are, too, unless you work at a record store. So, even though you won't admit it to yourself, I'm going to help you out.

Here's the down low on hip picks, in every genre imaginable but no particular order:

Fred Friedman's jazzy, soulful, bluesy faves

• Jack DeJohnette, Larry Grenadier, John Medeski and John Scofield: Hudson - "Four jazz all stars coming together and making it work."

• Vijay Iyer Sextet: Far from over - "I saw this group at the Ojai Music Festival and they were amazing."

• Steve Winwood: Greatest Hits Live - "The songs span the length of his career."

• The Doors: The Doors & Strange Days [mono reissues] - "A breath of fresh air for these seminal albums. The mix sounds like you are the only audience member in a private show. Is everybody in?"

• Pink Floyd: 1965-1967 Cambridge Station - "While full of amazing and rare Barrett-era cuts, we finally see an official release, mix, and master of Scream Thy Last Scream and the fabled In The Beachwoods!"

Ryan East's mostly twang hits

• Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit: Nashville Sound - "Politically and emotionally charged alt-country from one of the most talented songwriters working today."

• Tyler Childers: Purgatory - "Booze and cocaine-fueled fun recorded over two days by heavy hitters in Nashville and produced by Sturgill Simpson."

• Deer Tick: Vol. 1 - "Favorite song of the year is 'Me and My Man' sung from a dog's perspective."

• Beck: Colors - "Such perfectly crafted pop with chops that get better with every listen."

File Photo Courtesy Of The Creston Line

PUT IT ON REPEATVagabonds, The Creston's Lines' 2017 release, is an "emotional roller coaster of an album."

• The Creston Line: Vagabonds -"Emotional roller coaster of an album that didn't leave my player for a month."